The world holds few secrets for Oracle Elana Anderson, or as her fans
know her, Ela Deville. Successful author of paranormal romance, Ela,
has a secret: not all her paranormal characters are quite that
fictional. She hardly expected she’d trigger a chain of events that
might bring about the end of the world via a pesky dragon. Rendered
blind to visions of him, Ela’s only way to save her world is to keep the
dragon close…very close.

Obitus, the only awake dragon in the Otherworlds, is determined to
get back the magic that was stolen from him and secure his position for a
good thousand years. Becoming Akai’s new guardian after getting rid of
the current one is the best way to it. But that means getting Ela on his
side. He’ll bargain and maneuver his way there if he has to, but ends
up tormented by the desire to have her for real.In a game of deals, half-truths and irresistible cravings, does one
heart have to break in order for the other to save the world?

I wanted him to follow. At this
point I knew he wanted a victim for tonight. If it wouldn’t be me, it would be
some poor woman. I couldn’t let that happen. Once in the elevator I pushed for
my suite’s floor. My pulse skipped. I’d wait for him there.

As the doors opened I stepped out
of the elevator and inhaled deeply. He’d be up in about a minute. The hall was
empty. I allowed myself a quick peak into the following minutes to make sure no
one would show up beside the two of us. Allison would take about 45 minutes to
come up. I had enough time.

I stood there, facing the elevator
doors, and began the invocations. I had quite a few options as far as spirits
went, but I rarely used them. Tonight, I called for the soul nippers. They were
tiny, vicious things that hungered for soul energy. The most efficient way to
make a living creature disappear. The nippers materialized out of the floor,
screeching and moaning.

Now all I needed was a target to
mark. And he’d arrive right…now. The doors binged open. He walked out, grinning
at me.

“I knew you were sweet on me,
honey,” he crooned.

I smiled and mentally drew the
target symbol on his chest. The nippers launched at him. He opened his mouth,
wanting to scream, but one of the nippers slid down his throat and blocked his
vocal chords. They shot through him, screeching with glee. Each time they went
through, a bit of his soul was consumed. In a minute or so he fell to the
floor, eyes wide and face contorted in pain. I didn’t feel much pity. He’d put
his victims though a lot worse.

Autopsy would show he’d died of a
stroke. I took the phone out of my purse and hit speed dial.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“I think someone’s having a seizure
or something. Hotel…”

=====================================================

AUTHOR BIO:

Livia Olteano is a loud and proud coffee addict, lover of all things beautiful and incurable romantic.

She
believes stories are the best kind of magic there is. And life would be
horrible without magic. Her hobbies include losing herself in the minds
and souls of characters, giving up countless nights of sleep to get to
know said characters, and trying to introduce them to the world.
Sometimes they appreciate her efforts. The process would probably go
quicker if they'd bring her a cup of coffee now and then when stopping
by. Characters--what can you do, right?

Stop by www.liviaolteano.com or the blog, http://blog.liviaolteano.com, for the latest news and rants of glory.